Tuesday, July 29, 2008

I'm pleased to report that everyone survived the day with their heads and paper above the water!Day one: As planned we worked on studies of waves in action learning to recognize just what they do as they roll into shore. It was fun to see all the splatter and splashing of the brushstrokes create "recognizable" wave shapes. After a short lunch break the class started on a small (7.5 x 11)study of Arch Cape. The study included rock formations often referred to as Haystack Rocks, wet sand with reflections and the ripples of the ocean waves washing ashore. Before we knew it the day was gone and it was time to quit.

Day two: Nine of the fourteen artists returned for the second day of painting. By the end of the second day each student had a seascape painting to hang on their wall.It always amazes me how we can all use the same photo to paint the same subject and yet each painting is very personally unique.As is usually the case during a workshop I started my demo painting but did not get it finished. After spending most of the afternoon coaching and offering advise my painting is still a work in progress.I will post it when I have time to add some finishing touches.Thanks again to all of the artists who participated! It really was fun.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

This was a busy week!On Saturday July 12th the Seattle Daniel Smith Store had standing room only for the morning demo on painting the Sea & Shore. One of the things I love about doing demonstrations is the interaction with the other artists in the room. They were very responsive and interested in learning how I painted the different types of waves featured in the watercolor paintings on display.The afternoon demonstration repeated some wave information but also included some tips for painting rocks and wet sand. It was fun to show everyone how the new Surf and Sand Triad works for painting the beach and the ocean water.

REMINDER: There are still a couple of seats left in the two day workshop Painting the Sea & Shore Watercolor Workshop July 27 -28at theSeattle Daniel Smith Store. Call 206-223-9599 to register. It is sure to be a fun two days!-------------------------

On Tuesday July 15 I taught a Sea and Shore class in Bellevue. After a morning of practicing how to paint waves, the afternoon was dedicated to executing a painting with water and rocks and wet sand with reflections. Everyone in the class had a successful painting to take home and frame. I'd like to say thanks to the Bellevue staff for making our day so enjoyable!

There will be more one classes in both Seattle and Bellevue this summer and into the fall.Watch my blog and my calendar for updates and more information!

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

You are all invited to come see my FREE demo at the Seattle Daniel Smith Store this coming Saturday (July 12th, 2008) at 11:00 and 1:45 pm

I'm offering a one day class on painting the techniques used for painting seascapes in watercolor at the Bellevue Daniel Smith Classroom. Register with me (Susie) for this one. To sign-up online using PayPalclick here or you may register by completing the mail form found at the same link.

Check the Daniel Smith Store Blog for a preview based on the blog report of my first Sea & Shore demo on June 21st. (Thanks Debbie!) And I'd also like to thank the fine group of Wet Canvas artists who came to the demo...it was nice to me you'll and I hope you will come to more of my watercolor events!

Plus I'll be conducting a two day Sea & Shore Watercolor Workshop on July 27th and 28th in the Seattle Daniel Smith Store. This fun two-day workshop is packed full of information for the intermediate to advanced watercolorist.

Day One: I'll start by showing many of the elements that make a successful seascape painting. Students will learn how to create the forms of waves, breakers, rocks, sea foam, and wet sand. I'll will discuss and demonstrate the importance of color, sunlight, atmosphere, and composition. Practice exercises will help you build a foundation using these forms, and also help plan your composition before actually starting a painting.

Day Two: We'll begin with a brief demo following with a review of painting techniques covered on day one. You will then start your seascape painting while I'm there to offer individual instruction and encouragement helping you effectively paint the sea and shore.Photo references will be available for use and purchase or you may wish to bring your own photos to work from.

Take a look at this newly released triad of watercolor paint the nice folks at Daniel Smith let me select just in time for painting summer seascapes! I wanted to include two of my color favorites and introduce my students to Goethite a nicly granulating pigment perfect for painting sand.

These three superb colors work together to create the illusion of waves breaking into foamy surf and washing onto a golden sandy beach. Ultramarine Turquoise and Indanthrone Blue, used side-by-side or mixed, create a wide value range of blue-greens. Diluted they add the right touch of color to foaming waves. The natural granulating characteristics of Goethite (Brown Ochre) are perfect for painting golden beach sand.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

I've been splashing in the waves for the past few months. I have so much to learn about how the waves are formed. Once I have some understanding of what I'm seeing I then have the challenge of putting what I see and what I want to see on my watercolor paper. Wow, what a fun and exciting task!

The Internet has many good images of waves in photos from around the world but I don't like to work from other photographers work. Aside from copyright infringement issues, I find (for me personally) nothing beats going straight to the source...cameras and sketchbook in hand ... and just study the waves for myself. What a wonderful excuse to visit the coast!

During my visits to the Oregon coast I was fortunate to observe several different lighting conditions and directions to give me a wider depth of study. And I came home with several hundred digital photos to sort through. A task I will thoroughly enjoy.

I have found that the best motivation for learning how to paint an unfamiliar subject in watercolor is the teach it. At least that's what works for me, after all how can I teach someone else how to do it if I can't do it myself. I'm feeling pretty confident that my wave studies have been successful and while I still have much to learn about waves and their nature I believe I have a fairly good grasp on where to start my watercolor paintings. The two watercolor study paintings displayed above were painted in my studio from a combination of my photo references. They are 11 x 7.5 inches painted on Arches 140# CP paper using Daniel Smith Watercolors.

I used these two watercolor paintings (plus several additional watercolor works-in-progress) to teach a watercolor class in Bellevue in April. It was such a fun class. There will be more....

About Me

I love to paint! It's been a passion since my teens and along my journey I've been blessed to have studied with some of the best watercolorists of our time. Now, its my turn to share my love and knowlege with others. Visit my website to see more of my watercolor tips, mini lessons and to order latest DVDs and videos. Susie Short's Watercolor Learning Center